Progression of morphological changes after transplantation of a liver with heterozygous α-1 antitrypsin deficiency

Living Related Liver Transplantation for Metabolic Liver Diseases in Children

ABSTRACT

Metabolic liver diseases (MLDs) are a heterogeneous group of inherited conditions for which liver transplantation can provide definitive treatment. The limited availability of deceased donor organs means some who could benefit from transplant do not have this option. Living related liver transplant (LrLT) using relatives as donors has emerged as one solution to this problem. This technique is established worldwide, especially in Asian countries, with shorter waiting times and patient and graft survival rates equivalent to deceased donor liver transplantation. However, living donors are underutilized for MLDs in many western countries, possibly due to the fear of limited efficacy using heterozygous donors. We have reviewed the published literature and shown that the use of heterozygous donors for liver transplantation is safe for the majority of MLDs with excellent metabolic correction. The use of LrLT should be encouraged to complement deceased donor liver transplantation (DDLT) for treatment of MLDs.

Pitfalls and caveats in α1-antitrypsin deficiency testing: a guide for clinicians

α1-antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) remains the only readily identified genetic cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Furthermore, there is growing evidence that even a moderate deficiency increases the risk of lung disease among smokers. Despite these facts, the uptake of testing for AATD in at-risk populations remains low for many reasons, and a lack of clarity among clinicians regarding the most appropriate diagnostic techniques presents a major deterrent. This Personal View addresses the benefits of diagnosis, the technical basis of the available diagnostic methods, and possible clinical confounders for each test. We include a series of unusual cases encountered at our National Centre of Expertise to provide context. The topics covered should equip clinicians with the core knowledge required to confidently assess patients for AATD.

Genetic, hematological, and immunological disorders transmissible with liver transplantation

It is well recognized that solid organ transplantation can transmit bacterial infection and chronic viral hepatitis as well as certain cancers. As indications for liver transplantation (LT) have expanded, it has been used to treat and even cure certain genetic cholestatic disorders, urea cycle defects, and coagulation abnormalities; many of these conditions are potentially transmissible with LT as well. It is important for clinicians and transplant patients to be aware of these potentially transmissible conditions as unexplained post-LT complications can sometimes be related to donor transmission of disease and thus should prompt a thorough exploration of the donor allograft history. Herein, we will review the reported genetic, metabolic, hematologic, and immunological disorders that are transmissible with LT and describe clinical scenarios in which these cases have occurred, such as in inadvertent or recognized transplantation of a diseased organ, domino transplantation, and with living related liver donation. Liver Transplantation 23 663-678 2017 AASLD.